How to Stream Roku From a Phone to TV: 4 Easy Methods

You can stream Roku from a phone to TV using three main methods: casting from supported apps, playing personal media through the Roku mobile app, or mirroring your entire phone screen. All of these approaches let you enjoy content on a larger display, whether you are casting apps to a TV, learning how to cast a phone to an Amazon Fire Stick TV, or figuring out how to cast Prime video from a phone to TV, though for Roku, the steps are tailored to its own ecosystem.

Before you start: connect to the same Wi-Fi

For any method you choose, your phone and Roku device must be connected to the same wireless network. This allows the two devices to communicate with each other. On your Roku, go to Settings, select Network or Wi-Fi, and choose your home network. On your phone, open the Wi-Fi settings and select the same network. Without this step, none of the streaming or mirroring options will work.

Method 1: Cast from apps like Netflix or YouTube

Many popular streaming apps support direct casting to a Roku device. This is the simplest way to send video content from your phone to your TV, and it works on both Android and iPhone.

Make sure the streaming app (such as Netflix, YouTube, or Hulu) is installed on both your phone and your Roku device.
Open the app on your phone and start playing the movie, show, or video you want to watch.
Tap the casting icon within the app, this is often a rectangle with a Wi-Fi symbol or concentric arcs.
Select your Roku device from the list of available devices that appears.
The app will automatically launch on your Roku, and playback will begin on your TV.

During casting, you can control playback with either your phone or the Roku remote, and your phone can be used for other tasks or turned off without interrupting the stream.

Method 2: Play personal photos and videos with the Roku app

To share media stored directly on your phone, use the official Roku mobile app. This method is ideal for showing vacation photos or home videos on the big screen. The Roku app serves as a remote control for your Roku device, allowing you to navigate through menus, search for content, and control playback on your TV. You can use voice search in the Roku app to find your favorite movies, TV shows, and more.

Download the free Roku mobile app from the App Store (iOS 14.0 or newer) or Google Play Store.
Open the app and ensure it is connected to your Roku device (both must be on the same Wi-Fi network).
Use the "Play on Roku" feature to browse and select photos and videos from your phone's storage.
The selected media will begin playing on your TV.

This method does not mirror your phone screen; it sends the media files directly to the Roku for playback.

Method 3: Mirror your Android screen to Roku

Screen mirroring replicates your entire phone screen on the TV, including menus, apps, and buttons. Most current Roku streaming players and Roku TV models support this feature, though some older models (such as Roku Express 3700 and Express+ 3710) do not. Android devices generally support screen mirroring if running Android 4.2 or higher (Android 10 or later is common). Google Pixel phones do not natively support the Miracast protocol required for full screen mirroring to Roku devices, though they can cast individual apps that support DIAL (like YouTube or Netflix).

On your Android phone, pull down the Quick Settings panel.
Look for an option labeled "Smart View," "Screen Cast," "Cast," "Wireless display," or "Screen mirroring." The exact name varies by phone manufacturer.
Select your Roku device from the list of available devices.
Your phone screen will appear on the TV.

During screen mirroring, your mobile device must remain powered on and active, as all actions are controlled from the phone.

Method 4: Use Apple AirPlay from an iPhone or iPad

Apple AirPlay allows you to stream or mirror content from compatible iPhones, iPads, or Macs to compatible 4K Roku streaming devices. iOS devices do not use Miracast for screen mirroring to Roku; they utilize Apple AirPlay.

Ensure your Roku device supports AirPlay (most 4K Roku models do).
On your iPhone or iPad, open the app or content you want to stream.
Tap the AirPlay icon (a rectangle with an upward-pointing arrow).
Select your Roku device from the list.
The content will play on your TV, or your screen will be mirrored, depending on the app.

You can control playback from your iOS device, and the phone does not need to stay on the same screen for streaming apps (though it does for mirroring).

Troubleshooting common problems

If your phone cannot find your Roku device, start by double-checking that both are on the same Wi-Fi network. For screen mirroring, confirm that your Roku model supports the feature, models like Roku Express 3700 and Express+ 3710 do not. If you are using an Android phone and the option does not appear, your device may not support Miracast (common with Google Pixel phones). In that case, use casting from individual apps instead. Restarting both your phone and Roku device can also resolve temporary connection issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stream content from my phone to Roku without the Roku app?

Yes, for supported streaming apps like Netflix or YouTube, you can cast directly using the casting icon within those apps. You do not need the Roku app for that method. However, the Roku app is required for playing personal photos and videos stored on your phone.

Does screen mirroring work with all Roku models?

No. Most current Roku streaming players and Roku TV models support screen mirroring, but some older models do not. For example, Roku Express 3700 and Express+ 3710 lack this feature. Check your Roku model's specifications on the Roku website or in the settings menu under System > About.

Can I use AirPlay with any Roku device?

AirPlay is only supported on compatible 4K Roku streaming devices. If you have an older or non-4K Roku model, you will not see the AirPlay option. For those devices, use the Roku app or casting from individual apps instead.

Why can't I find my Roku device when trying to cast?

The most common cause is that your phone and Roku are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Verify both are connected to the same network name. Also, ensure that the streaming app is installed on both your phone and your Roku device. Restarting your router can also help.